Silver-2-man - 9/15/94
BRIEF INSTRUCTIONS UPON MY PARADOXES OF DEFENCE
by George Silver Gentleman [1599] [Sloan MS. No. 376]
for the true handling of all manner of weapons together with the
four grounds and the four governors which governors are left out in
my paradoxes without the knowledge of which no man may fight
safe.
TO THE READER For as much as in my Paradoxes of Defence I have
admonished men to take head of false teachers of defence, yet once
again in these my brief instructions I do the like, because divers
have written books treating of the noble science of defence, wherein
they rather teach offence than defence, rather showing men thereby
how to be slain than to defend themselves from the danger of their
enemies, as we may daily see to the great grief and overthrow of
many brave gentlemen and gallant(s) of our ever victorious nation of
Great Britain, and therefore for the great love and care that I have
for the well doing and preservation (?) of my countrymen, seeing
their daily ruin and utter overthrow and utter overthrow of the
diverse gallant gentlemen and others which trust only to that
imperfect fight of that rapier, yes (?) although they daily see their
own overthrow and slaughter thereby, yet because they are trained
up therein, they think and do fully persuade themselves that there is
no fight so excellent and where as among diverse other opinions that
leads them to these errors one of that chiefest is, because there is so
many slain with these weapons and therefore they hold them so
excellent, but these things do
chiefly happen, first because their fight is imperfect for that they use
neither the perfect grounds of true fight, neither yet the four
governors without which no man can fight safe, neither do they use
such other rules which are required in the right use of perfect
defence, and also their weapons for the most part being of an
imperfect length, must of necessity make an imperfect defence
because they cannot use them in due time and place, for had these
valorous minded men the right perfection of the true fight with the
short sword and also of other weapons of perfect length, I know that
men would come safer out of the field from such bloody bankets(?)
and that such would be their perfections here in that it would save
many hundreds (of) men's lives. But how should men learn
perfection out of such rules as nothing else but very imperfection
itself? And as it is not fit for a man which desires the clear light of
the day to go down into the bottom of a deep and dark dungeon,
believing to find it there, so is it as impossible for men to find perfect
knowledge of this noble science where as in all their teachings every
thing is attempted and acted upon imperfect rules, for there is but
one truth in all things, which I wish very heartily were taught and
practiced here among us, and that those imperfect and murderous
kind of false fights might be by them abolished. Leave now to quaff
and gulp no longer of that filthy and brine-ish puddle, seeing you
may now drink of that fresh and clear spring.
O that men for their defence would but give their mind to practice
the true fight indeed and learn to bear true British wards for their
defence, which if they had it in perfect practice, I speak it of my own
knowledge that those imperfect Italian devices with rapier and
poniard
would be clean cast aside and of no account of all such as blind
affections do not lead beyond the bounds of reason.Therefore for the
very zealous and unfeigned love that I bear unto your high and royal
person my countrymen pitying their causes that so may brave men
should be daily murdered and spoiled for want of true knowledge of
this noble science and as some imagine to be, only the excellence of
the rapier fight, and where as my paradoxes of defence is to the most
sort as a dark riddle in many things therein set down, therefore I
have now this second time taken pains to write these few brief
instructions there upon whereby they may better attain to the truth
of this science and laying open here all such things as was something
intricate for them to understand in my paradoxes and therefore that
i have the full perfection and knowledge of the perfect use of all
manner of weapons, it does embolden me here to write for the better
instruction of the unskilled
And I have added to these my brief instructions certain necessary
admonitions which I wish every man not only to know but also to
observe and follow, chiefly all such as a desirous to enter into the
right usage and knowledge of their weapons and also I have thought
it good to annex here unto my paradoxes of defence because in these
my brief instructions, I have referred the reader to divers rules
therein set down.
This I have written for an infallible truth and a note of remembrance
to our gallant gentlemen & others of our brave minded nation of
Great Britain, which here be minded to defend themselves and to win
honor in the field by their actions of arms and single combats.
And know that I write not this for vainglory, but out
of an entire love that I owe unto my native countrymen, as one who
laments their losses, sorry that so great an error should be so
carefully nourished as a serpent in their bosoms to their utter
confusion, as of long time have been seen, whereas they would but
seek the truth here in they were easily abolished, therefore follow
the truth and fly ignorance.
And consider that learning has no greater enemy than ignorance,
neither can the unskillful ever judge the truth of my art to them
unknown, beware of rash judgement and accept my labors
thankfully as I bestow them willingly, censure me justly, let no man
despise my work herein casually(?), and so i refer myself to the
censure of such as are skillful herein and I commit you to the
perfection of the almighty Jehovah.
Yours in all love and friendly affection
George Silver
ADMONITIONS to the gentlemen and brave gallants of Great Britain
against quarrels and brawls written by George Silver, Gentleman
Whereas I have declared in my paradoxes of defence of the false
teaching of the noble science of defence used here by the Italian
fencers willing men therein to take heed how they trusted there unto
sufficient reasons and proofs why.
And whereas there was a book written by Vincento an Italian
teacher whose ill using practices and unskillful teaching were such
that it has cost the lives of many of our brave gentlemen and
gallants, the uncertainty of whose false teaching does yet remain to
the daily murdering and overthrow of many, for he and the rest of
them did not teach defence but offence, as it does plainly appear by
those that follow the same imperfect fight according to their teaching
or instructions by the orders from them proceeding, for be the actors
that follow them never so perfect or skillful therein one or both of
them are either
sore hurt or slain in their encounters and fights, and if they allege
that we use it not rightly according to the perfection thereof, and
therefore cannot defend ourselves, to which I answer if themselves
had any perfection therein, and that their teaching had been a truth,
themselves would not have been beaten and slain in their fights, and
using of their weapons, as they were.
And therefore I prove where a man by their teaching can not be safe
in his defence following their own ground of fight then is their
teaching offence and not defence, for in true fight against the best no
hurt can be done. And if both have the full perfection of true
fight,then the one will not be able to hurt the other at what perfect
weapon so ever.
For it cannot be said that if a man go to the field and cannot be sure
to defend himself in fight and to come safe home, if God be not
against him whether he fight with a man of skill or no skill it may
not be said that such a man is master of the noble science of defence,
or that he has the perfection of the true fight, for if both have the
perfection of their weapons, if by any device, one should be able to
hurt the other, there were no perfection in the fight of weapons, and
this firmly hold in your mind for a general rule, to be the hayth(?)
and perfection of the true handling of all manner of weapons.
And also whereas that said Vincentio in that same book has written
discourses of honor and honorable quarrels, making many reasons to
prove means and ways to enter the field and combat, both for the lie
and other disgraces, all which diabolical devices tends only to
villainy and destruction as hurting, maiming and murdering or
killing.
Animating the minds of young gentlemen and gallants to follow those
rules to maintain their honors and credits, but the end thereof for
the most part is either killing or hanging or both to the utter undoing
and great grief of themselves and their friends, but then to late to
call it again. They consider not the time and place that we live in,
nor do not thoroughly look into the danger of the law 'til it be too
late, and for that in divers other countries in these things they have
a larger scope than we have in these our days.
Therefore it behoves us not upon every abuse offered whereby our
blood shall be inflamed, or our choler kindled, presently with the
sword or with the stab, or by force of arms to seek revenge, which is
the proper nature of wild beasts in their rage so to do, being void of
the use of reason, which thing should not be in men of discretion so
much to degenerate (denigrate), but he that will not endure an
injury, but will seek revenge, then he ought to do it by civil order
and proof, by good and wholesome laws, which are ordained for such
causes, which is a thing far more fit and requisite in a place of so
civil a government as we live in, then is the other, and who so follow
these my admonitions shall be accounted as valiant a man as he that
fights and far wiser. For I see no reason why a man should
adventure his life and estate upon every trifle, but should rather put
up divers abuses offered unto him, because it is agreeable to the
laws of God and our country.
Why should not words be answered with words again, but if a man
by his enemy be charged with blows then may he lawfully seek the
best means to defend himself and in such a case I hold it fit to use
his skill and to show his force by his deeds, yet so, that his dealing be
not with full rigor to the others confusion if possible it may be
eschewed.
Also take heed how you appoint the field with your enemy publicly
because our laws do not permit it, neither appoint to meet him in
private sort lest you wounding him he accuse you of felony saying
you have robbed him, etc.. Or he may lay company close to murder
you and then report he did it himself valiantly in the field.
Also take heed if your enemy's stratagems, lest he find means to
make you look a side upon something, or cause you to show whether
you have on a privy coat, and so when you look from him, he hurt or
kill you.
Take not arms upon every light occasion, let not one friend upon a
word or trifle violate another but let each man zealously embrace
friendship, and in turn not familiarity into strangeness, kindness into
malice, nor love into hatred, nourish not these strange and unnatural
alterations.
Do not wickedly resolve one to seek to the other's overthrow , do not
confirm to end your malice by fight because for the most part it ends
by death.
Consider when these things were most used in former ages they
fought not so much by envy the ruin and destruction one of another,
they never took trial by sword but in the defence of innocence to
maintain blotless honor.
Do not upon every trifle make an action of revenge or of defence.
Go not into the field with your friend at his entreaty to take his part
but first know the manner of the quarrel how justly or unjustly it
grew, and do not therein maintain
wrong against right, but examine the cause of the controversy, and if
there be reason for his rage to lead him to that mortal resolution.
Yet be the cause never so just, go not with him neither further nor
suffer him to fight if possible it may be by any means to be
otherwise ended and will him not to enter into so dangerous an
action, but leave it until necessity requires it.
And this I hold to be the best course for it is foolishness and endless
trouble to cast a stone at every dog that barks at you. This noble
science is not to cause one man to abuse another injuriously but to
use it in their necessities to defend them in just causes and to
maintain their honor and credits.
Therefore fly all rashness, pride and doing of injury all foul faults
and errors herein, presume not upon this, and thereby to think it
lawful to offer injury to any, think not yourself invincible, but
consider that often a very wretch has killed a tall(?) man, but he that
has humanity, the more skillful he is in this noble science, the more
humble, modest and virtuous he should show himself both in speech
and action, no liar, no vaunter nor quarreller, for these are the causes
of wounds, dishonor and death.
If you talk with great men of honorable quality with such chief have
regrade to frame your speeches and answers so reverently, that a
foolish work, or forward answer give no occasion of offence for often
they breed deadly hatred, cruel murders and extreme ruin etc..
Ever shun all occasions of quarrels, but marshall men chiefly
generals and great commanders should be excellent skillful in the
noble science of defence, thereby to be
able to answer quarrels, combats and challenges in defence of their
prince and country.
VALE
Brief Instructions upon my Paradoxes of Defence for the true
handling of all manner of weapons together with the four grounds
and the four governors which governors are left out in my paradoxes
without the knowledge of which no man can fight safe.
Cap. I.
The four grounds or principals of that true fight at all manner of
weapons are these four, viz. 1. judgement, 2. distance, 3. time, 4.
place.
The reason whereof these 4 grounds or principals be the first and
chief, are the following, because through judgement, you keep your
distance, through distance you take your time, through time you
safely win or gain the place of your adversary, the place being won
or gained you have time safely either to strike, thrust, ward, close,
grip, slip or go back, in which time your enemy is disappointed to
hurt you, or to defend himself, by reason that he has lost his place,
the reason that he has lost his true place is by the length of
time through the numbering of his feet, to which he is out of
necessity driven to that will be agent.
The 4 governors are those that follow
1. The first governor is judgement which is to know when your
adversary can reach you, and when not, and when you can do the
like to him, and to know by the goodness or badness of his lying,
what he can do, and when and how he can perform it.
2. The second governor is measure. Measure is the better to know
how to make your space true to defend yourself, or to offend your
enemy.
3. The third and forth governors are a twofold mind when you
press in on your enemy, for as you have a mind to go forward, so
4.must you have at that instant a mind to fly backward upon any
action that shall be offered or done by your adversary.
Certain general rules which must be observed in that perfect use of
all kind of weapons.
Cap. 2
1. First when you come into the field to encounter with your
enemy, observe well the scope, evenness and unevenness of your
ground, put yourself in readiness with your weapon, before your
enemy comes within distance, set the sun in his face traverse if
possible if possible you can still remembering your governors.
2. Let all your lying be such as shall best like yourself, ever
considering out what fight your enemy charges you, but be sure to
keep your distance, so that neither head, arms,
hands, body, nor legs be within his reach, but that he must first of
necessity put in his foot 1 or feet, at which time you have the choice
of 3 actions by which you may endanger him & go free yourself.
1. The first is to strike or thrust at him, the instant when he has
gained you the place by his coming in.2
2. The second is to ward, & after to strike him or thrust from it,
remembering your governors
3. The third is to slip a little back & to strike or thrust after him.
But ever remember that in the first motion of your adversary
towards you, that you slide a little back so shall you be prepared in
due time to perform any of the 3 actions aforesaid by disappointing
him of his true place whereby you shall safely defend yourself &
endanger him.
Remember also that if through fear or policy, he strike or thrust
short, & therewith go back, or not go back, follow him upon your
twofold governors, so shall your ward & slip be performed in like
manner as before, & you yourself still be safe.
Keep your distance & suffer not your adversary to win or gain the
place 3 of you, for if he shall so do, he may endanger to hurt or kill
you.
Know that the place is, when one may strike or thrust home without
putting in of his foot.
It may be objected against this last ground, that men do often strike
& thrust at the half sword & the same is perfectly defended, where
to I answer that the defence is perfectly made by reason that the
warder has true space before the striker or thruster is in force or
entered into his action.
Therefore always do prevent both blow & thrust, the blow by true
space4, & the thrust by narrow space that is true crossing it before
the same come in to their full force, otherwise the hand of the agent
being as swift as the hand of the patient, the hand of the agent being
the first mover, must of necessity strike of thrust that part of the
patient which shall be struck or thrust at because the time of the
hand to the time of the hand, being of like swiftness the first mover
has the advantage.
4. When your enemy shall press upon you, he will be open in one
place or other, both at single & double weapon, or at least he will be
to weak in his ward upon such pressing, then strike or thrust at such
open or weakest part that you shall find nearest.
5. When you attempt to win the place, do it upon guard,
remembering your governors, but when he presses upon you & gains
you the place, then strike or thrust at him in his coming in.5
Or if he shall strike or thrust at you, then ward it & strike or thrust
at him from your ward6, & fly back instantly according to your
governors, so shall you escape safely, for that first motion of the feet
backward is more swift, than the first motion of the feet forward,
where by your regression will be more swift, than his course in
progression to annoy you, the reason is, that in the first motion of his
progression his number & weight is greater than yours are, in your
first motion of your regression, nevertheless all men know that the
continual course of the feet forward is more swift than the continual
course of the feet backwards.
6. If your enemy lies in the variable fight, & strikes or thrusts at
you then be sure to keep your distance & strike7
or thrust at such open part of him as are nearest unto you, at the
hand, arm, head or leg of him, & go back with all.
7. If 2 men fight at the variable fight, & if within distance, they
must both be hurt, for in such fight they cannot make a true cross,
not have time truly to judge, by reason that the swift motion of the
hand, being a swifter mover, then the eye deceives the eye, at what
weapon soever you shall fight withal, as in my paradoxes of defence
in the --- chapter thereof does appear.
8. Look to the grip8 of your enemy, & upon his slip take such
ward as shall best fit your hand, from which ward strike or thrust,
still remembering your governors.
9. If you can indirect9 your enemy at any kind of weapon, then
you have the advantage, because he must move his feet to direct
himself again, & you in the mean time may strike or thrust at him, &
fly out safe, before he can offer anything at you, his time will be so
long.
10. When you shall ward blow & thrust, made at your right or left
part, with any kind of weapon, remember to draw your hind foot a
little circularly10, from that part to which the same shall be made,
whereby you shall stand the more apt to strike or thrust from it.
A declaration of all the 4 general fights to be
used with the sword at double or single,
long or short, & with certain
particular rules to them
annexed.
Cap. 3.
1. Open fight11 is to carry your hand and hilt aloft above your
head, either with point upright, or point backward, which is best, yet
use that, which you shall find most apt, to strike, thrust, or ward.
2. Guardant fight12 in general is of 2 sorts, the first is true
guardant fight13, which is either perfect or imperfect.
The perfect is to carry your hand & hilt above your head with your
point down towards your left knee, with your sword blade somewhat
near your body, not bearing out your point but rather declining it a
little towards your said knee, that your enemy cross not your point &
so hurt you, stand bolt upright in his fight, & if he offers to press in
then beat your head & body a little backward.
The imperfect is when you bear your hand & sword hilt perfect high
above your head, as aforesaid, but leaning or stooping forward with
your body & thereby your space will be wide on both sides to defend
the blow struck at the left side of your head or too wide to defend a
thrust from the right side of the body.
Also it is imperfect, if you beat your hand & hilt as aforesaid, bearing
your point too fat out from your knee, so that your enemy may cross,
or strike aside your point, & thereby endanger you.
The second is the bastard guardant14 fight which is to carry your
hand & hilt below your head, breast high or lower with your point
downward toward your left foot, this bastard guardant ward is not to
be used in a fight, except it be to cross your enemy's ward at his
coming in to take the grip of him or such advantage, as in divers
places of the sword fight is set forth.
3. Close fight is when you cross at the half sword either above at
the forehand ward 15that is with the point high, & hand & hilt low, or
at the true or bastard guardant ward with both your points down.
4. Close is all manner of fights wherein you have made a true
cross at the half sword with your space very narrow & not true cross
is also close fight.
Variable fight is all other manner of lying not here before spoken of,
whereof these 4 that follow are the chiefest of them.16
(1) Stocata17: which is to lie with your right leg forward, with your
sword or rapier hilt back on the outside of your right thigh with your
point forward to ward your enemy, with your dagger in your hand
extending your hand towards the point of your rapier, holding your
dagger with the point upright with marrow space between your
rapier blade, & the nails of your dagger hand, keeping your rapier
point back behind your dagger hand if possible.
Or he may lie wide under his dagger with his rapier point down
towards his enemy's foot, or with his point forward with out his
dagger.
(2) Imbrocata18: is to lie with your hilt higher than your head,
bearing your knuckles upward, & your point depending toward your
enemy's face or breast.
(3) Mountanta19: is to carry your rapier pommel in the
palm of your hand resting it on your little finger with your hand
below & so mounting it up a loft, & so to come in with a thrust upon
your enemy's face or breast, as of out of the Imbrocata.
(4) Passata: is either to pass with the Stocata, or to carry your
sword or rapier hilt by your right flank, with your point directly
against your enemy's belly, with your left foot forward, extending
forth your dagger forward as you do your sword, with (a) narrow
space between your sword& dagger blade, & so make your passage
upon him.
Also any other kind of variable fight or lying whatsoever a man can
devise not here expressed, is contained under this fight.
Of the short single sword fight20 against
the like weapon.
Cap. 4.
1. If your enemy lie aloft21, either in the open or true guardant
fight, & then strike at the left side of your head or body your best
ward to defend yourself, is to bear it with true guardant ward, & if
he strike & come in to the close, or to take the grip of you, you may
then safely take the grip of him as it appears in the chapter on the
grip.
2. But if he does strike & not come in, then instantly upon your
ward, uncross & strike him22 either on the right or left side of the
head, & fly out23 instantly.
3. If you bear this with forehand ward, be sure to ward his blow,
or keep your distance, otherwise he shall deceive
with every false, still endangering your head, face, hand, arms, body,
& bending knee, with blow or thrust. Therefore keep well your
distance, because you can very hardly discern (being within
distance), by which side of your sword he will strike, nor at which of
those parts aforesaid, because of the swift motion of the hand
deceives the eye.
4. If he lies aloft 24& strike as aforesaid at your head, you may
endanger him if you thrust at his hand, or arm, turning your
knuckles downward25, but fly backward with all in the instant you
thrust.
5. If he lies a loft as aforesaid, & strike a loft at the left side of
your head, if you will ward his blow with forehand ward, then be
sure to keep your distance, except he (be)comes so certain that you
(are) sure to ward his blow, at which time if he comes in withal, you
may endanger him from that ward, either by blow thrust or grip26.
6. If he lies aloft & you lie low with your sword in the variable
fight, then if you offer to ward his blow made at your head, with true
guardant ward your time will be too long due in time to make a sure
ward, so that it is better to bear it with the forehand ward, but be
sure to keep your distance, to make him cone in with his feet,
whereby his time will be too long to do what he intended.
7. If 2 men fight both upon open fight, he that first breaks his
distance, if he attempts to strike the other's head, shall be surely
struck on the head himself, if the patient agent strike there at his
coming in27, & slip a little back withal, for that sliding back makes an
indirection, whereby your blow crosses his head, & makes a true
ward for your own, this will that be, because the length of time in his
coming in.
8. Also if 2 fight upon open fight, it is better for the patient to
strike home strongly at the agent's head, when the said agent shall
press upon him to win the place than to thrust, because the blow of
the patient is not only hurtful to the agent, but also makes a true
cross to defend his own head.
9. If he charge you aloft, out of the open or true guardant fight, if
you answer him with the imperfect guardant fight, with your body
leaning forward, your space will be too wide on both sides to make a
true ward in due time, & your arm and body will be too near unto
him, so that with the bending of the body with the time of hand &
foot, he may take the grip of you.
But if you stand upright in true guardant fight, then he cannot reach
to take the grip of you, nor otherwise to offend you if you keep your
distance, without putting in of his foot or feet wherein his number
will be too great28, & so his time will be too long, & you in that time
may by putting in of your body take the grip of him, if he press to
come in with using only your hand, or hand or foot, & there upon you
may strike or thrust with your sword & fly out withal according to
your governors, see more of this, in the chapter of the grip.
10. If he will still press forcibly a loft upon you, charging you out
of the open fight or the true guardant fight, intending to hurt you in
the face or head, or to take the grip of you, against such a one, you
must use both guardant & open fight, whereby upon every blow or
thrust that he shall make at you, you may from your wards, strike or
thrust him on the face, head, or body as it appears more art large in
the 5th chapter of these my instructions.
11. If you fight with one standing only upon his guardant fight29
or if he seeks to come in to you by the same fight, then do you strike
& thrust continually at all manner of open places that shall cone
nearest unto you, still remembering your governors, so shall he
continually be in danger, & often wounded, & wearied in that kind of
fight, & you shall be safe, the reason is, he is a certain mark to you, &
you are an uncertain mark to him.
And further because he ties himself into one kind of fight only, he
shall be wearied for want of change of lying, & you by reason of
many changes shall not only fight at ease, & much more brave, but
you have likewise 4 fights to his one, to wit, guardant, open, closed
and variable fight, to his guardant only, therefore that fight only is
not to be stood upon or used.
12. But if all this will not serve & although he has received many
wounds, will continually run to come in, & forcibly break your
distance, then may you safely take the grip of him, & hurt him at
your pleasure with your sword, as appears in the chapter of the grip,
& he can neither hurt nor take the grip of you, because the number
of his feet are too many, to bring his hand in place in due time, for
such a one ever gives you the place, therefore be sure to take your
time therein.
In the like sort may you do at sword & dagger, or sword & buckler,
at such time as I say, that you may take the grip at the single sword
fight, you may then instead of the grip, soundly strike him with your
buckler on the head or stab him with your dagger & instantly either
strike up his heels or fly out, & as he likes a cooling card to his hot
brain, sick fit, so let him come for another 30.
If 2 fight & both lie upon the true guardant fight & that one of them
will need seek to win the half sword
by pressing in, that may you safely do, for upon that fight the half
sword may safely be won, but he that first comes in must first go
out, & that presently, otherwise his guard will be too wide above to
defend his head, or if fit for that defence, then will it be too wide
underneath to defend that thrust from his body which things the
patient agent 31may do, & fly out safe, & that agent cannot avoid it,
because the moving of his feet makes his ward unequal to defend
both parts in due time, but the one or the other will be deceived & in
danger, for he being agent upon his first entrance his time (by reason
of the number of his feet) will be too long, so that the patient agent
may first enter into his action, & the agent must be forced (to be) an
after doer, & therefore cannot avoid this offense aforesaid.
14. If he come in to encounter the close & grip upon the bastard
guardant ward, then you may cross his blade with yours upon the
like guardant ward also, & as he comes in with his feet & have
gained you he place, you may presently uncross & strike him a blow
on the head, & fly out instantly, wherein he cannot offend you by
reason of his lost time, nor defend himself upon the uncrossing,
because his space is too wide whereby his time will be too long in
due time to prevent your blow, this may you do safely.
15. If he comes in upon the bastard guardant ward, bearing his hilt
lower than his head, or but breast high or lower, then strike him
soundly on the head which thing you may easily do, because his
space is too wide in due time o ward the same.
16. If your enemy charge you upon his Stocata fight, you may lie
variable with large distance & uncertainty with your sword & body
at your pleasure, yet so you may strike,
thrust or ward, & go forth & back as occasion is, to take the
advantage of this coming in, whether he does it out of the Stocata, or
Passata, which advantage you shall sure to have, if you observe this
rule & be not too rash in your actions, by reason that the number of
his feet will be great32, & also because when those 2 fights are met
together, it is hard to make a true cross, therefore without large
distance be kept (between) them, commonly they are both hurt or
slain, because in narrow distance their hands have free course & are
not tied to the time of the foot, by which swift motion of the hand
the eye is deceived, as you may read more at large in the --- chapter
of my paradoxes of defence.
You may also use this fight, against the long sword, or long rapier,
single or double.
Upon this ground some shallow witted fellow may say, if the patient
must keep large distance, then he must be driven to go back still, to
which I answer that in the continual motion & traverses of his
ground he is to traverse circularly, forewards, backwards, upon the
right hand,& upon the left hand33, the which traverses are a
certainty to be used within himself, & not to be prevented by the
agent, because the agent comes one upon a certain mark, for when he
thinks to be sure of his purpose, he patient is sometimes on the one
side, & sometimes on the other side, sometimes too far back, &
sometimes too near, so still the agent must use the number of his
feet which will be too long to answer the hand of the patient agent, &
it cannot be denied but (that) the patient agent by reason of his large
distance, still sees what the agent does in his coming (in), but the
agent cannot see what the other (will) do, 'til the patient agent be
into his action, therefore
too late for him either to hurt the patient, or in due time to defend
himself, because he entered into his action upon the knowledge of
the patient, be he knows not what the patient agent will do 'til it is to
late.
17. If the agent says that then he will stand fast upon sure guard
and sometimes moving * traversing his ground, & keep large distance
as the patient does, tp which I answer, that when 2 men shall meet
that have both the perfection of their weapons, against the best no
hurt can be done, otherwise if by any device one should be able to
hurt the other, then were there (?) no perfection in the use of
weapons, this perfection of fight being observed, prevents both (the)
close fight, & all manner of closes, grips & wrestling & all manner of
such devices whatsoever.
18. Also if charges you upon his Stocata, or any other lying after
that fashion, with his point low & large paced, then lie you aloft with
your hand & hilt above your head, either true guardant, or upon the
open fight, then he cannot reach you if you keep your distance
without putting in his foot or feet, but you may reach him with the
time of your hand, or with the time of your hand & body, or of the
hand, body & foot, because he has already put in his body within
your reach & has gained you the place,& you are at liberty &
(outside) his reach, 'til he puts in his foot or feet , which time is too
wide in that place to make a ward in due time to defend his head,
arms & hand, one of which will be always within your reach.
Note still in this that your weapons be both short and of equal &
convenient length of the short sword.
19. If out of this variable fight he strikes at the right or left side of
the head or body, then your best ward is to
bear with the forehand ward34, otherwise your space will be too
wide & too far to make your ward in due time.
20. If he lies variable after the manner of the Passata then if you
lie aloft as is above said, you have the advantage, because he that
lies variable cannot reach home, at head, hand or arm, without
putting in his foot or feet, & therefore it cannot be denied, but that
he that plays aloft, has still the time of the hand to the time of the
foot, which fight being truly handled is (of) invincible advantage.
21. If he lies variable upon the Imbrocata, then make a narrow
space with your point upward, & suddenly if you can cross his point
with your blade, put aside his point strongly with your sword &
strike or thrust at him, & fly out instantly, ever remembering your
governors that he deceive you not in taking his point.
22. If he strike or thrust at your leg or lower part out of any fight,
he shall not be able to reach the same unless you stand large paced
with bending knee35, or unless he comes in with his foot or feet, the
which if he shall so do, then you may strike or thrust at his arm or
upper part for then he puts them into the place gaining you the place
whereby you make strike home upon him & he cannot reach you.36
But if he stands large paced with bending knee, then win the place &
strike home freely at his knee, & fly back therewith.
23. If he comes to the close fight with you & that you are both
crossed aloft at the half sword with both your points upward, then if
he comes in withal in his crossing bear strongly your hand & hilt
over his wrist37, close by his hilt, putting in over at the backside of
his hand & hilt pressing down his hand & hilt strongly, in your
entering in,
& so thrust your hilt in his face, or strike him upon the head with
your sword, & strike up his heels, & fly out.38
24. If you are so crosses at the bastard guardant ward, & if he then
presses in, then take the grip of him as is shown in the chapter of the
grip.
Or with your left hand or arm, strike his sword blade strongly &
suddenly toward your left side by which means you are uncrossed39,
& he is discovered, then may you thrust him in the body with your
sword & fly out instantly, which thing cannot be avoided, neither can
he offend you.
Or being so crossed, you may suddenly uncross & strike him upon
the head & fly out instantly which thing you may safely do & go out
free.40
25. If you be both crossed at the half sword with his point up &
your point down in the true guardant ward, then if he presses to
come in, then either take the grip of him, as in the chapter of the
grip, or with your left and or arm, strike out his sword blade towards
your left side as aforesaid, & so you may thrust him in the body with
your sword & fly out instantly.41
26. Do you never attempt to close or come to grip at these weapons
unless it be upon the slow motion or disorder of your enemy,
But if he will close with you, then you may take the grip of him
safely at his coming in42, for he that first by strong pressing in the
adventure the close looses it, & is in great danger, by reason that the
number of his feet are too great, whereby his time will be too long, in
due time to answer the hand of the patient agent, as in the chapter of
the grip does plainly appear.
27. Always remembering if you fight upon the variable fight that
you ward upon the forehand ward, otherwise your space
will be too wide in due time to make a true guardant ward, to defend
yourself.
28. If you fight upon (the) open fight, or true guardant fight, never
ward upon (the) forehand ward for then your space will be too wide
also, in due time to make a sure ward.
29. If he lies aloft with his point towards you, after the manner of
the Imbrocata, then make your space narrow with your point, &
strike or thrust as aforesaid but be sure herein to keep your
distance, that he deceive you not in(to) taking of his point.
Of diverse advantages that you may take by striking
from your ward at the sword fight.43
Cap. 5.
1. If Your enemy strikes at the right side of your head, you lying
(in the) true guardant ward, then put your hilt a little down,
mounting your point, so that your blade may cross across your
face44, so shall you make a true ward for the right side of your head,
from which ward you may instantly strike him on the right or left
side of the head, or turn down your point, & thrust him in the body,
or you may strike him on the left side of the body, or on the outside
of his left thigh.
Or you may strike him on the outside of the right thigh, one of those
he cannot avoid if he (does not) fly back instantly upon his blow,
because he knows not which of these the patient agent will do.
2. If you lie upon your true guardant ward, & he strikes at the
left side of your head45, you have the choice from your ward to
strike him from it, on the right side or left side of
the head, or to turn down your point, & thrust him in the body, or
you may strike him on the outside of the right or left thigh, for the
reason above said in the last rule, except (that) he flies out instantly
upon his blow.
3. If he charge you upon the open or the true guardant fight, if
you will answer him with the like, then keep your distance, & let
your gathering be always in your fight to ward his right side so shall
you with your sword choke up any blow that he can make at you,
from the which ward you may strike him on the right or left side of
the head, or thrust him in the body.
But if he thrust at your face or body, then you may out of your
guardant fight break it downward with your sword bearing your
point strongly towards your right side46, from the which breaking of
his thrust you may likewise strike him from the right or left side of
the head, or thrust him in the body.
4. If you meet with one that cannot strike from his ward, upon
such a one you may both double & false (feint)47& so deceive him,
but if he is skillful you must not do so, because he will be still so
uncertain in his traverse that he will still prevent you of time &
place, so that when you think to double & feint, you shall gain him
the place & there upon he will be before you in his action, & your
coming he will still endanger you.
5. If you fight upon the variable fight, & that you receive a blow
with (the) forehand ward, made at the right side of your head or
body48, you have the choice of 8 offensive actions from that ward,
the first to strike him on the right side, either on the head, shoulder,
or thigh, or to thrust him in the body, or to strike him on the left side
either on the head, shoulder or thigh, or to thrust him in the body,
the like you may do if he strike ever at your left side, as is above
said, if you bear it with your forehand ward.49
6. In this forehand ward, keep your distance, & take heed that he
deceives you not with the downright blow at your head out of his
open fight, for being within distance the swift motion of the hand
may deceive your eye, because you know not by which side of your
sword his blow will come.
7. Also see that he deceive you not upon any false offering to
strike at the one side, & then thereby you have turned your point
aside, then to strike on the other side, but if you keep distance you
are free from that, therefore still in all your actions remember your
governors.
8. If he will do nothing but thrust, answer him as it is set down in
the 16th ground of the short sword fight & also in diverse places of
the 8th chapter
9. Also consider if he lies at the thrust upon the Stocata or
Passata, & you have no way to avoid him, except you can cross his
sword blade with yours, & so indirect his point, therefore keep
narrow space upon his point, & keep well your distance in using your
traverses.50
But if he puts forth his point so that you may cross it with (the)
forehand ward, for if you watch for his thrust then lie upon forehand
ward with you point a little up if he lies with his pointed mounted, &
if you single your thrust upon the outside of your sword to ward
your right side, or back of your sword hand, strike or bear his point
out towards your right side, & thereupon putting forward your body
& left foot circularly toward his right side you may strike him upon
his sword arm, head, face or body.51
Or if you take it on the inside of your sword blade to ward your left
side 52then with your sword put by his point strongly & suddenly
towards your left side, drawing
your left circularly back behind the heal of your right foot, & strike
him on the inside of his sword hand or arm or on the head, face, or
body, & fly out according to your governors.
This may you use against the sword & dagger long or short, or rapier
& poniard, or sword & buckler.
10. Also remember if he has a long sword& you a short sword,
ever to make your space too narrow, that you may always break his
thrust before that be in force if possible you may, & also to keep
large distance whether he charge you out of the Stocata, Passata, or
Imbrocata, etc..
Of this you may see more at large in the 8th chapter.
The manner of certain grips & closes to be
used at the single short sword fight, etc..
Cap. 6.
1. If he strikes aloft at the left side of your head, and run in
withal to take the close or grip of you, then ward it guardant, & enter
in with your left side putting in your left hand, on the inside of his
sword arm, near his hilt, bearing your hand over his arm, & wrap in
his hand & sword under your arm, as he comes in, wresting his hand
& sword close to your body turning back your right side from him, so
shall he not be able to reach your sword, but you shall still have it at
liberty to strike or thrust him & endanger the breaking of his arm, or
the taking away of his sword by that grip.
2. If you are both crossed in the close fight upon the bastard
guardant ward low(?), you may put your left hand on the outside of
his sword at the back of his hand, near or
at the hilt of his sword arm & take him on the inside of the arm with
your hand, above his elbow is best, & draw him towards you
strongly, wresting his knuckles downward & his elbow upwards so
may endanger to break his arm, or cast him down, or to wrest his
sword out of his hand, & go free yourself.
3. In like sort upon this kind of close, you may clap your left hand
upon the wrist of his sword arm, holding it strongly & therewith
thrust him hard from you, & presently you may thrust him in the
body with your sword for in that instant he can neither ward, strike,
nor thrust.
4. If he strike home at the left side of your head, & therewith all
come in to take the close or grip of your hilt or sword arm with his
left hand, first ward his blow guardant, & be sure to put in your left
hand under your sword & take hold on the outside of his left hand,
arm or sleeve, putting your hand under the wrist of his arm with the
top of your fingers upward, & your thumb & knuckles downward,
then pluck him strongly towards your left side, so shall you indirect
his feet, turning his left shoulder toward you, upon which instant you
may strike or thrust him with your sword & fly out safe, for his feet
being indirected, although he has his sword at liberty, yet shall he be
not able to make any offensive fight against you because his time
will be too long to direct his feet again to use his sword in due time.
5. Also if he attempts to close or grip with you upon his bastard
guardant ward, then cross his sword with the like ward, & as he
comes in with his feet you have the time of your hand & body,
whereby with your left hand or arm you may put by his sword
blade, which thing you must suddenly & strongly do, casting it
towards your left
side, so may you uncross & thrust him in the body with your sword
& fly out instantly, for if you stay there he will direct his sword
again & endanger you, this may safely be done, or you may uncross
& turn your point up, & strike him on the head, & fly out instantly.
6. If he presses in to the half-sword upon a forehand ward, then
strike a sound blow at the left side of his head turning strongly your
hand & hilt pressing down his sword hand & arm strongly, & strike
your hilt full in his face, bearing your hilt strongly upon him, for
your hand being uppermost you have the advantage of the grip, for
so may you break his face with your hilt, & strike up his heels with
your left foot, and throw him a great fall, all this may safely be done
by reason that he is weak in his coming in by that moving of his feet,
& you repel him in the fullness of your strength, as appears in the
chapter of the short single sword fight, in the 23rd ground of the
same.
7. Remember that you never attempt the close nor grip but look
to his slip, consider what is said in the 8th general rule in the second
chapter, & also in the 26th ground of the single sword fight in the 4th
chapter.
Of the short sword & dagger fight
against the like weapon
Cap. 7.
1. Observe at these weapons the former rules, defend with your
sword & not your dagger, yet you may cross his sword with your
dagger, if you may conveniently reach the same therewith, without
putting in your foot, only by bending in your body,
otherwise your time will be too long,& his time will be sufficient to
displace his own, so that you shall not hit it with your dagger, & so
he may make a thrust upon you, this time that I here mean, of
putting by of his sword is, when he lies out spent with his sword
point towards you,& not else, which thing if you can do (it) without
putting in your foot, then you may use your dagger & strike strongly
& suddenly his sword point therewith up, or down, to indirect the
same, that done, instantly therewith strike or thrust at him with
your sword.
2. Also you may put by his sword blade with your dagger when
your swords are crossed, either above at forehand ward, or below at
the bastard guardant ward & therewith instantly strike or thrust
with your sword & fly out according to your governors, of this you
may see more at large in the chapter of the single sword fight in the
24th ground of the same.
3. Also if he is so foolhardy to come to the close, then you may
guard with your sword & stab with your dagger,& fly out safe, which
thing you may do because his time is too long by the number of his
feet, & you have but the swift time of your hand to use, & he cannot
stab 'til he has settled into his (stance),& so his time is to late to
endanger you or to defend himself.
4. Know that if you defend yourself with your dagger in the other
sort than is aforesaid, you shall be in danger to be hurt, because the
space of your dagger will be still too wide to defend both blow &
thrust for lack of circumference as the buckler has.
5. Also note when you defend blow & thrust with your sword,
you have a nearer course to offend your enemy with your sword
than when you ward with your dagger, for then you may for the
most part from your ward strike or thrust him.
6. You must neither close nor come to the grip at these weapons,
unless it is by the slow motion or disorder of your adversary, yet if
he attempts to close, or to come to the grip with you, then you may
safely close & hurt him with your dagger or buckler & go free
yourself, but fly out according to your governors & thereby you shall
put him from his attempted close, but see you stay not at any time
within distance, but in due time fly back or hazard to be hurt,
because the swift motion of the hand being within distance will
deceive the eye, whereby you shall not be able to judge in due time
to make a true ward, of this you may see more in the chapter of the
backsword fight in the 12th ground of the same.
7. If he extends forth his dagger hand you may make your fight
the same, remembering to keep your distance & to fly back according
to your governors.
Every fight & ward with these weapons, made out of any kind of
fight, must be made & done according as is taught in the backsword
fight, but only that the dagger must be used as is above said, instead
of the grip.
8. If he lies bent upon his Stocata with his sword or rapier point
behind his dagger so you cannot reach the same without putting in
your foot, then make all your fight at his dagger hand, so that you
may cross his sword blade with yours, then make narrow space upon
him with your point & suddenly & strongly strike or bear his point
towards his right side, indirecting the same, & instantly strike or
thrust him on the head, face arm or body, & fly back therewith out of
distance still remembering your governors.
9. If he lies spent upon his variable fight then keep your
distance & make your space narrow upon him, 'til you may cross his
sword or rapier point with your sword point, whereupon, you having
won or gained the place, strike or thrust instantly.
10. If he lies bent or spent upon the Imbrocata bear up your point,
& make your space narrow & do the like.
Of the short sword & dagger fight against the long
sword & dagger or long rapier & poniard.
Cap. 8.
1. If you have the short sword & dagger, defend with your sword
& not with your dagger, except (if) you have a gauntlet or hilt upon
your dagger hand, then you may ward upon forehand ward, upon the
double with the point of your sword towards his face.
2. Lie not aloft with your short sword if he lies low variable upon
the Stocata or Passata, etc., for then your space will be too wide to
make a true cross in due time, or too far in his course to make your
space narrow, which space take heed to make very narrow, yes, so
that if it touches his blade, it is better.
3. I say make your space narrow until you can cross his sword
blade strongly & suddenly, so shall you put by his point out of the
right line, & instantly strike or thrust, & slip back according to your
governors.
But take heed unless you can surely & safely cross go not in, but
although you can so cross, & thereupon you enter in, stay no by it
but fly out according to your governors.
4. If with his long sword or rapier he charges you aloft out of his
open or true guardant fight, striking at the
right side of your head, if you have a gauntlet or closed hilt upon
your dagger hand, then ward it double with forehand ward, bearing
your sword hilt to ward your right shoulder, with your knuckles
upward & your sword point to ward the right side of his breast or
shoulder, crossing your dagger on your sword blade53, resting it
there upon the higher side of your sword bearing both your hilts
close together with your dagger hilt a little behind your sword
bearing both your hands right out together spent or very near spent
when you ward his blow, meeting him so upon your ward that his
blow may light at your half sword or within, so that his blade may
slide from your sword & rest with your dagger, at which instant time
thrust forth your point at his breast & fly out instantly, so shall you
continually endanger him & go safe yourself.
5. If he strikes a loft at the left side of your head, ward as
aforesaid, bearing your sword hilt towards your left shoulder with
your knuckles downward54, & your sword point towards the left side
of his breast or shoulder, bowing your body & head a little towards
him, & remember to bear your ward to both sides that he strike you
not upon the head, then upon his blow meet his sword as aforesaid
with your dagger crossed over your sword blade as before , when his
sword by reason of his blow upon your sword shall slide down & rest
upon your dagger, then suddenly cast his sword blade out toward
your left side with your dagger, to indirect his point, & therewith
thrust at his breast from your ward & fly out instantly, the like may
you do if his sword glance out from yours, upon his blow.
All this may safely be done with the short sword & closed hilted
dagger or gauntlet.
6. Stay not within distance of the long sword or rapier with your
short sword, nor suffer him to win the place of you, but either cross
his sword, or make your space very narrow to cross it before his
blow or thrust be in force, yet keeping your distance whereby he
shall strike or thrust at nothing,& so shall be subject to the time of
your hand against the time of his feet.
7. Keep distance & lie as you think best for your ease & safety,
yet so that you any strike, thrust or ward, & when you find his point
certain, then make your space narrow & cross his sword, so shall you
be the first mover,& enter first into your action, & he being an after
doer, si not able to avoid your cross, not narrow space, nor any such
offense as shall be put into execution against him.
8. Having crossed his long sword or rapier with your short sword
blade,& put his point out of the straight line by force then strike or
thrust at him with your sword & fly out instantly according to your
governors.
9. Stand not upon guardant fight only, for so he will greatly
endanger you out of his other fights because you have made yourself
a certain mark to him, for in continuing in that fight only you shall
not only weary yourself, but do also exclude yourself from the
benefit of the open, variable, & closed fights, & so shall he have four
fights to your one, as you may see in the chapter of the short single
sword fight in the 15th ground thereof.
If he lies in open or true guardant fight, then you may upon your
open or guardant fight safely bring yourself to the half sword, & then
you may thrust him in the body, under his guard or sword when he
bears it guardant, because he is too weak in his guard, but fly out
instantly, & he cannot bring in his point to hurt you.
except (if) he goes back with his foot or feet, which time is too long to
answer the swift time of the hand.
If he puts down his sword lower to defend that thrust then will his
head be open, so that you may strike him on the head over his sword
& fly out therewith, which thing he cannot defend, because his space
is too wide to put up his blade in due time to make a true ward for
the same.
11. Understand that the whole sum of the long rapier fight is either
upon the Stocata, Passata, Imbrocata, or Mountanta, all these, and all
the rest of their devices you may safely prevent by keeping your
distance, because thereby you shall still drive him to use the time of
his feet, whereby you shall still prevent him of the true place, &
therefore he cannot in due time make any of these fights offensive
upon you by reason that the number of his feet will still be too great,
so that he shall still use the slow time of his feet to the swift time of
your hand.
Now you can plainly see how to prevent all these, but for the better
example note this, whereas I say by keeping of distance some may
object that then the rapier man will come in by degrees with such
ward as shall best like him, & drive back the sword man continually,
to whom I answer, the he can not dom by reason that the sword
man's traverses are made circularly, so that the rapier man in his
coming in has no place to carry the point of his rapier, in due time to
make home his fight, but that still his rapier will lie within the
compass of the time of the sword man's hand, to make a true cross
upon him, the which cross being made with force he may safely
uncross, & hurt the rapier man in the arm, head,
face or body, with blow or thrust, & fly out safe before he shall have
tie to direct his point again to make his thrust upon the sword man,
12. If the rapier man lies upon the Stocata, first make your space
narrow with your short sword, & take heed that he strikes not down
your sword point with his dagger & so jump in & hurt you with the
thrust of his long rapier, which thing he may do because he has
commanded your sword, & so you are left open & discovered & left
only unto the uncertain ward of your dagger, which ward is to single
for a man to venture his life on, which if you miss to perform never
so little you are hurt or slain.
13. To prevent this danger you must remember your governors, &
presently upon his least motion be sure of your distance, & your
narrow space, then do as follows.
14. If he lies upon his Stocata, with his rapier point within or
behind his dagger hand out straight, then lie upon variable in
measure with your right foot before & your sword point out directly
with your space very narrow as near his rapier point as you may,
between his rapier point & his dagger hand, from which you may
suddenly with a wrist blow, lift up your point & strike him on the
outside or inside of his dagger hand, & fly out withal, then make
your space narrow as before, then if he thrust home at you, you are
already prepared for his thrust, or you may thrust at his dagger
hand, doing which you may think best, but your blow must be only
by moving your wrist, for if you lift up your hand & arm to fetch a
large blow then your time will be too long, & your space to wide in
due time to make a true ward to defend yourself from his thrust, so
shall you hurt him although he has a gauntlet thereon, for your
thrust will run up
between his fingers, & your blow will cut off the fingers of his
gauntlet, for he cannot defend himself from one blow or thrust of 20,
by reason that you have the place to reach home at his hand, & for
that cause he cannot prevent it, neither can he reach home to you
without putting in his foot or feet, because the distance is too large,
but upon every blow or thrust that you make at his hand slip back a
little, so you shall still upon every blow or thrust that you make at
him, be out of his reach.
But if upon your blow or thrust he will enter in with his foot or feet
to make home his Stocata or thrust upon you, then by reason of you
sliding back, you shall be prepared in due time to make a perfect
ward to defend yourself with your sword.
Therefore ever respect his rapier point & remember to make & keep
narrow space upon it with your sword point, that you may be sure to
break his thrust before it is in full force.
15. If he thrust at your higher parts with his point a little
mounted, then make narrow your space with your point upon his, if
you cross his blade on the inside between his rapier & his dagger, if
he presses in then from your cross beat or bear back his point
strongly towards his right side, & having indirected his point, strike
him on the inside of the rapier or dagger hand or arm, or on the
head, face, or body, & fly out instantly.
Or you may upon his pressing in with his thrust slip your point down
as he comes in, & put up your hilt & ward it guardant, & therewith
from that ward cast out his point, & suddenly strike him in one of
the places aforesaid, & fly out instantly remembering your
governors.
16. If he lies fast & does not come in, then strike & thrust
at his dagger hand, with your wrist blow & slip back therewith every
time.
17. But if he lies fast & beats down your point with his dagger, &
then thrusts at you from his Stocata then turn up your hilt with your
knuckles upward & your nails downward, taking his blade upon the
backside of yours towards your left side & bear it guardant towards
that side, & so may you offend him as before is said upon that ward.
18. The like may you do upon him if he lays out his point, when
you have crossed the same with yours, & then strike it to either side,
& so indirect his point, and then strike or thrust & fly out.
19. The like you must do, if he lies with his point direct towards
your belly.
20. But if you cross his point so mounted or directed as above said,
upon the outside of your sword with his point a little higher than
your hilt, so that you may cross his blade, then if he thrust over your
blade single uncrossing the same, then you may break it with your
forehand ward out towards your right side, & if he comes in
therewith, then strike him on the outside of his rapier hand or arm,
or on the head or face, & fly out therewith.
21. But if he thrusts in over your sword as above said & presses in
his blade strongly double with the help of his dagger, then put down
your point & turn up your hilt guardant, so shall you safely defend it
bearing it guardant out towards your left side & from that strike him
in between his rapier and dagger in one of the aforesaid places & fly
out.
But if from the cross he slips his point down to thrust under your
sword, then strike down his point towards
his left foot & therewith strike him on the outside of his rapier hand
or arm, head, face, or body & fly out instantly, according to your
governors.
Also you may upon this of his point down, then turn your point short
over his blade in your stepping back, & put your point down in the
inside of his blade, turning up your hilt guardant as aforesaid, & then
if he thrusts at you, bear it guardant towards your left side, & then
have you the same offensive blows & thrusts against him as is above
said upon the same ward.
22. If he lies after the Stocata with his point down towards your
foot, then cross his blade of the outside, & if he turns his point over
your blade to make his thrust upon you, bear it out towards your left
side, & from that ward offend him as aforesaid.
23. Also in this fight take heed that he thrusts you not in the
sword hand or arm, therefore ever respect to draw it back in due
time, remembering therein your twofold governor, in your coming in,
to make your cross or narrow space.
24. If at sword & dagger or buckler he strikes in at the outside of
your right leg ward it with the back of your sword, carrying your
point down, bewaring you knuckles downward & your nails
upward55, bearing your sword out strongly towards your right side,
upon which ward, you may strike him on the outside of the left leg,
or thrust him in the thigh or belly.
25. The like may you do if he strike at your other side, if you ward
his blow with the edge of your sword your hand and knuckles as
aforesaid56, casting out his sword blade
towards your left side, this may be used at short or long sword fight.
26. You must never use any fight against the long rapier or dagger
with your short sword but the variable fight, because your space will
be too wide & your time too long, to defend or offend in due time.
27. Also you must use very large distance ever, because out of that
fight you can hardly make a true cross because being within
distance, the eye is deceived to it in due time.
28. Remember in putting forth your sword point to make your
space narrow, when he lies upon his Stocata, or any thrust, you must
hold the handle thereof as it were long your hand, resting the
pommel thereof in the hollow part of the middle of the heel of your
hand towards the wrist, & the former part of the handle must be
held between the forefinger & thumb, without the middle joint of the
forefinger towards the top thereof, holding that finger somewhat
straight out gripping round your handle with your other 3 fingers57,
& laying your thumb straight towards his, the better to be able to
perform this action perfectly, for if you grip your handle close out-
thwart (?) in your hand, then you cannot lay your point straight
upon his to make your space narrow, but that your point will still lie
too wide to do the same in due time, & this is the best way to hold
your sword in all kinds of variable fight.
But upon your guardant or open fight then hold it with full gripping
it in your hand, & not laying your thumb along the handle, as some
use, then shall you never be able to strongly to ward a strong blow58
This have I written out of my entire love that I bear to my
countrymen, wishing them yet once again to follow the truth,& to fly
the vain imperfect rapier fight, the better to save themselves from
wounds & slaughter, for who so(ever) attains to the perfection of this
true fight which I have here set forth in these my brief instructions,
& also in paradoxes of defence, shall not only defend themselves, but
shall thereby bring those that fight upon the imperfect fight of the
rapier under their mercy, or else put them in Cobb's traverse59,
where of you may read in the 38th chapter of my paradoxes
aforesaid.
Of the sword & buckler fight.
Cap. 9.
Sword & Buckler fight, & sword & dagger fight are all one, saving
that you may safely defend both blow & thrust, single with your
buckler only, & in like sort you may safely ward both blows &
thrusts double, that is with sword & buckler together which is a
great advantage against the sword & dagger, etc., & is the surest fight
of all short weapons.
Of the two hand sword fight against the like weapon.
Cap. 10.
These weapons are to be used in the fight s the short staff, if both
play upon double & single hand, at the 2 hand sword, the long sword
has the advantage if the weight thereof is not too heavy for his
strength that has it, but if
both play only upon double hand, then his blade which is convenient
length agreeing with his stature that has it, which is according with
the length of the measure of his single sword blade, has the
advantage of the sword that is too long for the stature of the
contrary party, because he that can cross & uncross, strike & thrust,
close & grip in shorter time than the other can.
Of the short staff fight, being of convenient length, against
the like weapon.
Cap. 11.
The short staff has 4 wards, that is 2 with the point up, & 2 with the
point down.
1. At these weapons ever lie so you may be able to thrust single
& double, & to ward, strike, or thrust in due time, so shall your
enemy, if he strikes only upon double hand be driven of necessity,
seeking to win the place, to gain you the place whereby you may
safely hurt him, & go free yourself by reason of your distance, &
where you shall seek to win the place upon him he shall not be able
to gain the place upon you, nor keep the place from you whereby he
shall either be hurt, or in great danger of hurt, by reason of your
large reach, true place & distance, your fight being truly handled
keeping itself from close & grip.
2. And in like sort shall it be between two, which shall play upon
the best, that is, if they play both double & single handed.
3. If you find yourself too strong for your adversary in any
manner of ward, whether the same be above or below, put by his
staff with force, & then strike or thrust him from it,
4. But if you find him too strong for you upon his blows from
aloft, so that you can hardly bear them upon your ward, then when
he strikes in aloft at your head, & by his main strength would beat
down your staff, & so give you a hurt before you shall be able to
come again into your ward.
Against such a one give a slip in the sort, suddenly draw back the
higher part of your body a little & your foremost foot withal, & slip
in the point of your staff under his staff, & thrust single at him, & fly
out with all, so shall you be sure to hit him & go out free.
5. If he lies aloft with his staff, then you lie with your back hand
low, with your point upwards towards his staff, making your space
narrow because you may cross his staff to ward his blow before it
comes into full force, & then strongly & suddenly misdirect his point
& so thrust at him single, the which you may do before he can
remove his feet, by reason of the swiftness of your hand or fly out
therewith, do this for both sides of the head if cause requires it, so
shall you save both your head, body, and all parts, for your upper
parts are guarded, & your lower parts far out of his reach.
6. If he lies low with his point down, then lie you with your point
down also, with your foremost hand low & your hind most hand high,
so that you may cross his staff, & do all things as said in the other.
7. If he lies upon the thrust then you lie with your space narrow
lying up or down with your point in such sort as you may cross his
staff, & thereby you shall be able to put or beat by his thrust before
it is in full force, & then strike or thrust, ever remembering your
governors.
If upon this any will object that if this is true, then it
is in vain to strike, to thrust, because he that does it is still in danger,
this doubt is answered in the short single sword fight, in the 12th
ground thereof.
8. If your adversary strikes aloft at any side of your head or
body, ward it with your point up & making your space so narrow
that you may cross his staff before it comes in full force bearing or
beating down his blow strongly, back again towards that side that he
strikes in at you, & out of that ward, then instantly, either strike
from that ward turning back your staff, & strike him on that side of
the that is next to your staff.
Or lift up your staff again, & so strike him on the head or body, or
thrust at his body double or single, as you may find your best
advantage ever in holding your staff, let there be such convenient
space between your hands, wherein you shall find yourself most apt
to ward, strike or thrust to your best liking.
9. If you play with your staff with your left hand before and your
right hand back behind, as many men find themselves most apt
when that hand is before, & if your adversary upon his blow comes
in to take the close of you, when you find his staff crossed with yours
near his hand, then suddenly slip up you right hand close to the hind
side of your foremost hand, & presently loosing the hind side of your
foremost hand & put in under your own staff, & then cross or put by
his staff therewith your hand take hold of his staff in such sort that
your little finger be towards the point of his staff, & your thumb &
forefinger towards his hands, & presently with your right hand
mount the point of your own staff casting the point thereof over your
right shoulder, with your knuckles downwards, & so stab him in
the body or face with the hind end of your staff, but be sure to stab
him at his coming in, whether you catch his staff or not, for
sometimes his staff will lie to far out hat upon his coming in you
cannot reach it, then catch that arm in his coming in which he shall
first put forth within your reach, but be sure to stab, for his staff can
do you no hurt, and having so done, if you find yourself too strong
for him, strike up his heels, if too weak fly out.
10. The like must you do if you play with your right hand & your
left hand back behind, but if you need not to slide forth your left
hand, because your right hand is in the right place on your staff
already to use in that action, but then you must displace your left
hand to take hold of his staff, or the grip as is aforesaid, & to use the
stab as is above said.
11 If both lie aloft as aforesaid, & play with the left hand before, if
he strikes at the right side of your head or body then must you cross
his staff before his blow is in full force, by making your space
narrow, & then strike it strongly back again towards his left side, &
from that ward you may turn back your staff & strike him backward
& therewith on the left side of his head, or lift up your staff & strike
him on the right or left side of the head, body, or arm, or thrust him
in the body, the like blows or thrusts any you make at him whether
he strikes or thrusts, having put by his staff, remembering your
governors.
The like order must you use in playing with the right hand foreward.
12. But if he thrusts at you continually then ever have a special
care to consider, whether he lies aloft or below,
& does continually thrust at you therefrom, then look that you
always lie so that you make your space so narrow upon him, that you
are sure to cross his staff with yours, & put it before it is in full force,
and from that ward, thrust at him single or double as you find it
best, & if he remembers not to fly back at the instant when he
thrusts it will be too late for him to avoid any thrust that you shall
make at him.
Of the short staff fight against the long staff.
Cap. 12.
1. If you have a staff of the convenient length against a staff of
longer length than is convenient, then make your space narrow, &
seek not to offend until you have strongly & swiftly put by his point
which you shall with ease accomplish, by reason of your narrow
space & your force, then strike or thrust him as you shall think best.
2. This short staff fight against the long staff is done in the same
sort (as the) short staff fight to short staff fight is done, but that the
man with the short staff must always remember to keep narrow
space upon the long staff, where so ever the long staff shall lie, high
or low, continually make your space narrow upon him, so shall you
be sure if he strikes or thrusts at you, to take the same before it is
into its full force & by reason that your force is more with your short
staff than his can be at the point of his long staff you shall cast his
staff so far out of the straight line with your short staff, that you
may safely enter in with your feet, & strike or thrust home at him.
3. Yet this present shift he has at that instant, he may
slip back his staff in his hands, which time is swifter then your feet
coming forward, whereby he will have his staff as short as yours, yet
by reason that at the first you cast his staff so far out of the right
line, that you had time to enter with your feet, you shall then be so
near him, that you make narrow space upon him again, so that he
shall have no time to slip foreward his staff again in his former place,
nor go back with his feet, & so to recover the hind end of his staff
again, because if he slips forth his staff to strike or thrust at you, that
may you safely defend because of your narrow space upon him, &
therewithal you may strike or thrust him from your ward, either at
single or double.
4. But if he will go back with his feet thinking by that means to
recover the whole length of his staff again, that can he not do in
convenient time because the time of your hand is swifter than the
time of his feet, by reason whereof you may strike or thrust him in
his going back.
5. Again it is to be remembered in that time that you keep him at
bay, upon the drawing in of his staff, the hind end thereof lying so
far back behind will be so troublesome for him, that he can make no
perfect fight against you & commonly in his drawing in of his staff it
will be too short to make a true fight against you, neither to offend
you or make himself safe.
6. If he attempts the close with you then stab him with the hind
end of your staff as said in the fight of the 2 short staves of
convenient length, in the 9th ground thereof.
Note: Remember that at the Morris pike, forest bill, long staff & two
handed sword, that you lie in such sort upon your wards that you
may both ward, strike & thrust
both double & single, & then return to your former wards slips & lie
again & then are you as you were before.
The like fight is to be used with the javelin, partisan, halberd, black
bill, battle axe, glaive, half pike, etc..
Of the fight of the forest bill against
the like weapon & against the staff
Cap. 13.
1. The forest bill has the fight of the staff but it has 4 wards more
with the head of the bill, that is one to bear it upwards, another to
beat it downwards so that the carriage of your bill head is with the
edge neither up nor down but sideways.
The other 2 wards are one to cast his bill head downwards towards
the right side, & the other towards the left.
And upon either on of these wards or catches run up to his hands
with the head of your bill & then by reason that you have put his
staff out of the right line, you may catch at his head, neck, arm or
legs, etc., with the edge of your bill, & hook or pluck him strongly to
you & fly out withal.
2. If you cast his staff so far out that your bill slides not up to his
hands, then you may safely run in sliding your hands within one
yard of the head of your bill, & so with your bill in one hand take
him by the leg with the blade of your bill & pluck him to you & with
your other hand defend yourself from his gripping if he offers to
grapple with you.
If you fight bill to bill do the like in all respects as with the staff in
your fight, for your bill fight & staff fight
is all one, but only for the defence & offense with the head of the bill,
& where the staff man upon the close if he uses the stab with the
butt end of his staff, the bill man at that time is to use the catch at
the leg with the edge of his bill in the second ground above is said.
4. Remember ever in all your fights with this weapon to make
your space narrow whether it is against the staff or bill so that
whatsoever he shall do against you, you shall still make your ward
before he is in his full force to offend you.
5. Also if you can reach within the head of his bill with the head
of your bill then suddenly with the head of your bill snatch his bill
head strongly towards you, & therewithal indirect his bill head &
forcibly run up your bill head to his hands, so have you the like
advantage as above said, whereas I spoke of running up towards his
hands.
6. If he lies low with this bill head then if you can put your bill
head in over the head of his bill, & strongly put down his bill staff
with your bill head, bearing it flat, then you may presently run up
your bill head single handed to his hands & fly out therewith, so
shall you hurt him in the hands & go free yourself.
7. The like may you do with your bill against the short staff you
can press it down in the like sort, but if he has a long staff then run
up double handed with both hands upon your bill, which thing you
may safely do because you are in your strength & have taken him in
the weak part of his staff.
8. If he lies high with his bill head then put up your bill head
under his & cast out his bill to the side that you shall find most fit, so
have you the advantage to thrust or hook at him & fly out.
Or if you cast out his bill far out of the right line then run in & take
him by the leg with he edge of your bill, as is said in the 2nd ground
of this chapter.
9. If you ward his blow with the bill staff within your bill head
then answer him as with the short staff.
Note: That as the bill man's advantage is to take the staff with the
head of the bill so that the staff man by reason that the head of the
bill is a fair mark has the advantage of him in the casting aside of the
head of the bill with his staff or beating it aside, the which if the bill
man looks not very well into the staff man thereupon will take all
manner of advantages of the staff fight against him.
Of the fight of the morris pike against
the like weapon
Cap. 14.60
1. If you fight with your enemy having both morris pikes with
both points of your pikes forewards, low upon the ground, holding he
butt end of the pike in one hand single with knuckles upwards & the
thumb underneath, with the thumb & forefinger towards your face &
the little finger towards the point of the pike, bearing the butt end of
the pike from the one side to the other right before your face, then
lie you with your arm spent & your body open with your hand to
your right side with your knuckles downwards & your nails
upwards.
Or you may lie in that sort, with your hand over to the left side with
your knuckles upwards & your nails downwards, whereby all your
body will be open, if then he shall suddenly raise up the point of his
pike with his other
hand & come thrust at you, then in the mounting of his point or his
coming in, suddenly toss the point of your pike with your hand single
& so thrust him in the legs with your pike & fly out therewith.
Or else you may stand upon your ward & not toss up your point but
break his thrust by crossing the point of his pike with the middle of
your pike by casting up your hand, with the butt end of your pike
above your head, & so bearing over his point with your staff, to the
other side as for example.
2. If you lie with your hand spent towards your right side then
bear his point towards your left side, & thereupon gather up your
pike with your other hand & thrust him & fly out.
If he continues his fight with his point above, & you lie with your
pike breast high & higher with you hand & point so, that you make
your thrust at his face or body with your point directly towards his
face, holding your pike with both your hands on your back hand with
your knuckles upwards & your foreward hand with your knuckles
downwards & there shaking your pike & falsing at his face with your
point as near his face as you may, then suddenly make out your
thrust single handed at his face & fly out withal, which thrust he can
hardly break one of 20 by reason that you made your space so
narrow upon his guard, so that you being first in your action he will
still be too late in his defence to defend himself.
4. But note while you lie falsing to deceive him look to your legs
that he in the mean time toss not up the
point of his pike single handed & hurt you therewith in the shins.
5. If he lies so with his point up aloft as you dom then make your
space narrow mounting your point a little & cross his pike with yours
& strongly and suddenly cast his point out of the right line & thrust
home fro the same single or double as you find your best advantage,
& fly out therewith.
Or you may run in when you have cast out his point finding both
your hands on your staff 'til you come within 3 quarters of a yard of
the head of your pike & stab him through with one hand & with the
other keep him from the grip.
6. Now if he is a man of skill, notwithstanding the making of the
fault in suffering you to do so yet this help he has, as you are coming
in he will suddenly draw in his pike point & fly back withal, then
have you no help but to fly out instantly to the middle of your pike
& from thence back to the end & then are you as at the first
beginning of your fight you were.
7. If you find that he lies far out of the right line with his point or
that you can o far indirect the same then cast your pike out of your
hands, cross over upon the middle of his pike, by which means you
shall entangle his pike, then while he does strive to get his pike at
liberty, run you in suddenly drawing your dagger & strike or staff at
him.
8. Then if he has the perfection of this fight as well as you, he will
be ready with his dagger as you are with yours, then must you fight
it out at the single dagger fight as is shown in the 15th chapter: then
he that has not the perfection of that fight goes to ruin.
9. And here note that in all the course of my teaching of these my
brief instructions if both the parties have the full perfection of the
true fight then the one will not be able to hurt the other at what
perfect weapon soever.
10. But if a man that has the perfection of fight shall fight with one
that has it not then must that unskillful man go to ruin & the other
go free.
Of the single dagger fight against the like weapon
Cap. 15.
1. First know that to this weapon there belongs no wards or grips
but against such a one as is foolhardy & will suffer himself to have a
full stab in the face or body or hazard the giving of another, then
against him you may use your left hand in throwing him aside or
strike up his heels after you have stabbed him.
2. In this dagger fight, you must use continual motion so shall he
not be able to put you to the close or grip, because your continual
motion disappoints him of his true place, & the more fierce he is in
running in, the sooner he gains you the place, whereby he is
wounded, & you not anything the rather endangered.
3. The manner of handling your continual motion is this, keep out
of distance & strike or thrust at his hand, arm, face or body, that
shall press upon you, & if he defends blow or thrust with his dagger
make your blow or thrust at his hand.
4. If he comes in with his left leg forewards or with the right, do
you strike at that part as soon as it shall be within reach,
remembering that you use continual motion
in your progression & regression according to your twofold
governors.
5. Although the dagger fight is thought a very dangerous fight by
reason of the shortness & singleness thereof, yet the fight thereof
being handled as is aforesaid, is as safe & as defensive as the fight of
any other weapon, this ends my brief instructions.
FINIS.
Sundry kinds of play or fight. Thornborow
1. Uncertain variable
2. Single
3. Guardant
3 different kinds of fight
1. That forces or presses in
2. He that goes back with some blow all these with an imperfect
or thrust ward & out of the way.
3. He that stands on his wards or Passata
1. Against him that presses you, naked play is best because he
uses his foot, the open lofty play (of) the hand.
2. The 2nd is best followed with the variable & uncertain
handling else should you be a mark to your enemy & too slow in
motion.
3. The third must be encountered with the guardant play
wherein you shall try him at the Backsword61 or how can escape the
parting blow or thrust?
When you gather keep your place & space equal & only be a
patient & remember your guardant play bringing you safely in &
keeping your enemy out.
Know this order of play else you best may be deceived, to be
used against all these differences & bring the goodness
thereof in suspicion, for all these pays are good in their kind, time &
occasion offered by diversity of play, but not one of them to be
continually used & played upon as perfection against every assault.
1. In the naked play you must set your self upright with your
feet in a small space, observing the place of your hand where you
may strike or thrust most quickly & readily & so take the time of
him that presses on (using the time of his feet) with your blow or
thrust where he is most open.
1. In the variable play, you drive him to his shifts changing
yourself into sundry kinds of blows thrusts & lyings, which you must
not stay upon,
2. Seeking to cross him still in his playing as you may,
whereby you shall force him to fly, or else to stand to the proof of his
backsword play.
3. The guardant play is to be used against the blow, thrust or
Passata that comes within danger of hurt, for treading that right way
& keeping your place & hand in space & strength you cannot loose
time o defend from either of these offers
These judged of in reason & known by some practice will make
you deal safely against all sorts, skillful or unskillful, so that fear of
anger hinders not your knowledge.
Of Times
hand
foot
1. The time of the hand & foot
foot hand. naught
of place space, strength,& time
1. The time of the hand is when you strike from a ward of
stand in place to strike.
2. The time of the foot is when you step forward to strike or
when you gather towards your own right side.
3. The time of the hand & foot is when you tread your ground
in course to strike rather that pressing forwards, or when you slide
back or go back, your hand & foot being then of equal agility.
4. The time of the foot & hand is when you handle your
guardant play using then a slow motion in both.
There is but 1 good way to gather upon your enemy, guardant.
All other are dangerous & subject to the blows on the head or thrust
on the body.
For no way can ward both but as aforesaid.
Your hand & feet in good play must go together, whether it is
in quick or in slow motion.
In gathering forewards or towards your right side your hand
falls from your place, space, time, & strength, & so falls out the loss
of time.
When you gather & suffer that govern your fight, defend only.
When you do, be single, or not fixed towards any single lying, but
also the quickness of your hand in its proper place carried.
In breaking the thrust when you lie aloft single or guardant &
space your arm somewhat bowing in warding the blow, have respect
to your place of hand & strength, your arm straight. This course in
your time is best performed, the one of these with your hand aloft
your point down the other your hand in place your (hand?point?)
more high your space less curious.
Double (fence defence treble
|
|time ward
|place way
|space slow motion
hand | double
arm,weapon true single | spacious
body straight | obscure
foot manifest
II. Time is chiefly to be observed in both actions upon which place
93re or space waits.
Upon these 3 the 4 following, upon these 4 the first 3, upon these the
latter 3.
To hurt or defend, a time in both is observed to the furtherance
of which place is to be gotten, without which time will be too long to
perform that which is intended, the space is to be noted between 2
opponents & in respect of touching, or in regard of saving as also for
preserving of time, by the small way it has either to the body, or
putting by the weapon.
The next 4 must be used together to perform the other 3 rules,
for the hand being nimble & quick of itself may else be hindered in
the want of any of these, the weapon must be framed & inclined to
serve the agility of the hand either in hurting or defending.
The body upright or leaning to the weapon, that it hinders not
the disposition of the other 2 the foot answerable to them plying the
hand & ward all in straight space, the ward with the hand high with
the point down, the arm straight out as ready for both actions
The way under the ward withdrawing the body from harm, the
motion slow that the action of the hand is not hindered.
The rest are the dispositions of the placed(/)displaced
handlings
slow foot : swift hand : quick foot : slow hand
tread : stride : follow : fall-away
When you seek to offend with blow or thrust, your place of the hand
is lost, the way to redeem it is to slide back under your lofty ward as
aforesaid always that your adversary lie aloft ready to strike or
thrust or use his hand only.
If you would offend him that lies low upon the thrust when
you displace your weapon from aloft you may after your blow at
head or arm or nearest place, stand & thrust before you go back
because he is out of place & space & cannot cross, & thereby losses
his time to annoy you & you may thrust & retire for a new assault.
this is not so sound
In striking or thrusting never hinder your hand with putting forth
your foot but keep the place thereof 'til you have offended with the
one only the bending of your body very little foreward any suffice,
else you loose a double time, one in setting forth your foot, the other
in recovering your lost place of your foot both to the loss of time &
your purpose
Strike : thrust : ward : break
the double offense is in striking & thrusting
warding the blow
The 3 fold breaking or putting by the thrust
defence flying back under your hanging ward
win the place : stand fast, strike home
offend, defend, & go safe
All under play is beaten with most agile, single & the lofty the
lofty with the guardant, His when with his foot he seeks the low
lying is out of place to
offend defend or not so for lack of time 93re the reading
space & crossing, if he lies out with his the enter lying
longer weapon it is put by from aloft, who of other things
has place, time & reach of body & thereto adjoin-
arm all with the cross. ing
the lofty naked play is beaten with the ward because of cross, space,
time to defend, the lofty naked single loose play serves to win the time of
the low & double play.
The bent guardant requires your arm straight high & outside
the point towards (93 re II well) the body & foot that way inclined
1 "put in his foot," i.e. advance
2 "His coming in." It must be remembered that in Silver's time the lunge
was unknown, at least to English fencers & the only movements of the feet
were "passes" and "traverses" which with "slips" constituted a great part of
the
defence as well as of the attack. "Passes" were either forwards or backwards
and the "traverses" were steps in a lateral direction. "Slips" were little
short steps either lateral or backwards. These movements were also much used in
feints of attack.
3 "To win or gain the place;" i.e. to come within striking distance.
4 "Space" is the distance which the sword blade has to traverse in
changing from one position to another: thus from "medium" to "quarte" or
"tierce" would be a "narrow space" while from "tierce" to "septime" or from
"seconde" to "quarte" would be a very "wide space"
5 A time hit or thrust
6 Parry and reposte. Silver is very careful to emphasize the necessity of
"flying back," i.e. getting away immediately after an attack, whether it be
successful or otherwise.
7 Time hits & thrusts
8 The "grip" is the seizing of the sword hilt with the left hand - for this
purpose a "quanto da presa" or gripping gauntlet with the palm protected with
fine mail, was sometimes used.
9 To "indirect" is to either maneuver or force him from the true line or
direction
10 a demi-volte
11 The "Guardia alta" of Marozzo & "Terza guardia" of Viggiani
12 A "hanging" guard.
13 "True guardant" is high prime.
14 "Bastard guardant" is a kind of high seconde, but more central.
15 "Forehand ward" is a medium guard.
16 The Italian terms were imperfectly understood in England at the end of
the XVI century, & Silver has misconstrued them.
17 "Qunita guardia" of Capo Ferro.
18 "Prima guardia" of Capo Ferro, "Guardia alta" of Alferi, & "Guardia di
becca possa" of Marozzo.
19 "Quarta guardia: of Alferi.
20 The "short single sword fight" was a fight with a one-hand sword, and
without the assistance of a defensive weapon in the left hand. The "sword
double" is any kind of single-hand sword assisted by a defensive weapon in
the other.
21 A high prime
22 A direct "riposte."
23 "Fly out" suggests a lateral movement of the feet, but also might mean a
backward one.
24 A familiar guard is favored among modern Austrian saber players.
25 A time thrust in "quarte" at the sword hand.
26 A "quarte" parry, followed by "reposte" or "grip"
27 A time hit with "opposition"
28 "Number will be too great,"i.e. will have to make too many steps or
passes.
29 A variety of guard to be used to prevent fatigue.
30 In "Sword and Buckler" or "Sword and Dagger" fighting, strike with the
defensive weapon instead of gripping, and trip up his heels. Lonergan 1771
31 The "patient agent" is the man who stands upon the defensive, the
"agent" being the one who attacks.
32 "The number of his feet will be too great"-i.e. he will have to make too
many slips or "passes"
33 This is exactly the traverse recommended by Roworth
34 Parries of "tierce" and of "quarte."
35 From this it appears that in Silver's time the knees were very little
bent.
36 A time hit or thrust at the arm or upper part.
37 Forcible pressure in "tierce" at "half-sword."
38 Recommended also by Lonergan, 1771
39 Beating the sword away with the gantleted left hand.
40 An alternative
41 Again the alternative of "gripping" and beating the sword off.
42 When he closes, "grip" him.
43 "Parrying" and "Reposting"
44 A parry of "high tierce" with its ripostes.
45 A parry of "prime" with its ripostes.
46 A thrust parried with the "seconde," and its repostes.
47 To "double" = to "remise." To "false" = to "feint."
48 A parry of "tierce" with its repostes.
49 A parry of "quarte."
50 How to engage with a man who uses his point.
51 A "demi-volte" after a parry of "tierce"
52 A "demi-volte" after a parry of "quarte."
53 Cross block with the sword in "quinte" and the dagger in "quarte"?
54 Cross block with the sword in"quarte" and the dagger in "sixte."
55 Parry "octave" and reposte with cut to the thigh or body thrust.
56 Parry "septime"and reposte.
57 The "french" grip.
58 A "hammer" grip.
59 A reference in "Paradoxes of Defence" meaning to "run away."
60 "the Chapter on the Morris pike is unique, as no other work speaks of
parries with that weapon."- W. London
61 Backsword is alternate term for the single short sword.
<the end>
Copyright © Mark S. Harris (Lord Stefan li Rous)
All Rights Reserved
Comments to author: stefan@florilegium.org
Generated: Wed Dec 13 2000